Ross County midfielder Rafa De Vita knows the pressure is on to make Jim McIntyre’s team for the new season.
De Vita came off the bench to score for the Staggies in their 5-3 friendly win at League 2 side Elgin City on Saturday in County’s second pre-season game.
The Italian said: “It’s looking very good for the new season. The new players have brought quality and something different and it augurs well for us.
“There’s competition for every position as there are two players for every place in the side. That can only be good as it means no-one can take anything for granted and we’re going to need that competition as the season progresses.”
De Vita’s goal was the highlight of an entertaining game as he curled a terrific 20-yard free kick past Elgin goalkeeper Stewart Black to make it 4-3 to the Staggies, but he will not be putting his name forward for set-piece duties.
He said: “It was a good free kick and nice to get a goal from an area which isn’t usually part of my game. It was a nice change.
“Martin Woods took all the set pieces last year so I don’t know who will get the job of taking the free kicks this season. I’ll be quite happy to leave it at that and enjoy the fact my last free kick of my life was a great goal.”
De Vita and his team-mates arrived in Hungary yesterday for a week-long training camp. They will play Hungarian Third Division side Soroksar tomorrow before completing their tour with a game against Second Division side Szolnoki MAV on Saturday.
The former Livingston midfielder expects another strong test for the squad in the two matches.
He said: “We still don’t know each other but the new players have brought something different. In the two games we’ve played so far it’s clear they have a lot to offer and the team is shaping up really well.
“The next week will be important for us as it will give us a chance to get to know each other better and play some different teams.
“No disrespect to the two teams we’ve played so far, and Elgin did really well against us, but we’re facing a step up in class in Hungary and we’re going to be tested much more than we have been.”